Meet the Team
The Venture Out Family
About our owners: Garth Heggenes, with a degree in Landscape Architecture from Washington State University, started Pacific Landscapes of Whidbey in 1994 building beautiful landscapes with quality products, workmanship and client communication. In 2017, along with his wife, Molly, they opened Venture Out Nursery to highlight how the landscape services complement the natural island beauty. Garth and Molly merged the two business together in January 2025 under the new name of Venture Out Landscapes and Nursery to broaden the team and the landscape services offered with a retail space for all customers to enjoy.
Landscaping Crew
Garrett Carney, Landscape GM
Garrett serves as the General Manager of the Landscape and Design Team and brings a wide experience in environmental work and design. He has a Bachelor’s in Sustainability from Arizona State University, is a LEED AP in New Construction and Design, and is an Island County Master Gardener.
Garrett oversees the design process and the landscape team. He is passionate about delivering a final product that can be enjoyed for eternity and prides himself on facilitating communication throughout the design and build process.
Bobbi Mennella, Landscape Designer
Bobbi has nurtured her passion for plants since 2004, starting in invasive plant management before managing a resort property and then launching her fine gardening business on Whidbey Island in 2010. Always eager to dig deeper, she earned a Landscape Design degree from Edmonds College and became an in-house designer at Venture Out Nursery.
As a part of the landscape installation team, she guides clients from the first site visit and estimate to a fully realized, personalized outdoor space. Blending native flora into every project, Bobbi creates stunning landscapes that feel natural, inviting, and harmonious with the local environment. Whether you envision a serene retreat or a vibrant outdoor space, her thoughtful touch brings it to life.
Nursery Crew
Whitney Heitzman, Nursery GM
Whitney oversees the day-to-day happenings at the Retail Nursery and has nurtured her love of plants for many years. She is a Certified Professional Horticulturist through WSNLA. Whitney moved to Whidbey in 2013 and has been with us since 2021.She has a vast knowledge of plants and an eye for design, so she is ready to help you choose plants for your garden!
Sarah Sanborn, Nursery Planting and Delivery Coordinator
Sarah serves as the lead of the Nursery Planting and Delivery team and shift supervisor, has worked at Venture Out for over 5 years and is known to be a calm force in every situation. Sarah ensures that the team uses best practices to dig, amend your soil and place those precious new plants to ensure success with your new plants!
Gordon White, Plant Buyer
Gordon is a true plant nerd! He has over 20 years of experience in the Pacific Northwest Horticulture industry and carries a vast knowledge of sustainable horticulture practices and garden design with a special love of Japanese maples. As a Certified Professional Horticulturist, Gordon is ready and willing to answer any plant question and will go to great lengths to source unique plants for our customers.
